Headlines

I'm not on Messi's level - Hazard

Chelsea and Belgium star Eden Hazard has admitted he is not at par with five-time Ballon d'Or winner and Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi.

The former Lille of France forward who arrived Stamford Bridge in 2012 for a reported £32m has been vital to Chelsea's title challenge this season. The 26-year old star has scored 11 league goals in 27 matches and has created five of the Blues' 60 league goals so far this term.

Citing Barcelona's Messi as one of his idols, Hazard said he has yet to reach the level of the Argentine who has 25 La Liga goals and seven assists to his name this season.

Quizzed by French magazine France Football about his sporting idols, Hazard said: "For me, the artists are [Zinedine] Zidane and Ronaldinho. [Juan Roman] Riquelme as well in his way of moving, with his passes. And then Messi. What he does with a ball is strong, right.

"I don't think I have that level. Again, it's up to people to say it (about being as good as Messi). I do not self-proclaim to be that good."

Hazard is in contention to win a second PFA Player of the Year award in three seasons, a remarkable turnaround given how poor he was last term as Chelsea finished 10th, a season after winning the Premier League title.